Australia's New Anti-Smoking Reforms: Ban on Recreational Vaping in Big Tobacco Crackdown

Australia has launched a crackdown on vaping and e-cigarettes, which it accuses tobacco companies of using to deliberately target teenagers and hook them onto nicotine. These measures are being billed as the largest anti-smoking reforms in a decade.

Australia's Anti-Smoking Reforms

Australia has been at the forefront of anti-smoking efforts for a long time. In 2012, it became the first country to introduce “plain packaging” laws for cigarettes, which has since been copied by the UK, France, and others. However, in recent years, Australia has struggled to contain the rising popularity of recreational vaping, especially among teenagers. Health Minister Mark Butler has highlighted that vaping has become the number one behavioral issue in high schools, and it is becoming increasingly widespread in primary schools.

Vaping and Big Tobacco

According to Butler, Big Tobacco has wrapped another addictive product in shiny packaging and added flavors to create a new generation of nicotine addicts, just as they did with cigarettes. Despite this, people will still be able to use vapes, provided they have a prescription. However, single-use disposable vapes will be banned, non-prescription imports will be stopped, and there will be restrictions on the amount of nicotine e-cigarettes can contain.

Hiking Taxes on Tobacco Sales

In addition to these measures, Butler announced that taxes on tobacco sales would be increased by 5% annually for the next three years. Australia already has some of the most expensive cigarettes globally, with a pack of 25 selling for about AUD50 ($33).

Black Market

Even though a prescription is required to buy nicotine vapes in Australia, a thriving illegal market means that they are easily accessible. Ruby Lake, a student in her early 20s, has stated that she has seen some of her friends become addicted to e-cigarettes and that they are struggling to quit.

Vaping and Smoking

Vaping was initially sold to governments and communities worldwide as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. However, with the rise of recreational vaping, concerns have emerged about its impact on young people. Australia's new regulations seek to address these concerns and protect young people from nicotine addiction.

FAQs

Q1. What is Australia's crackdown on vaping?
Australia has announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping that will ban single-use disposable vapes, halt imports of non-prescription versions, and restrict how much nicotine e-cigarettes may contain.

Q2. Why is Australia cracking down on vaping?
Australia is cracking down on vaping because it believes that tobacco companies are targeting teenagers to hook them onto nicotine. Health Minister Mark Butler has stated that vaping has become the number one behavioral issue in high schools, and it is becoming increasingly widespread in primary schools.

Q3. Can people still use vapes in Australia?
Yes, people can still use vapes, but only with a prescription. This is intended to ensure that vapes are only used as a tool to help people quit smoking and not for recreational use.

Q4. What is the black market for vapes in Australia?
Even though a prescription is required to buy nicotine vapes in Australia, a thriving illegal market means that they are easily accessible. This has led to concerns about young people becoming addicted to e-cigarettes and struggling to quit.

Q5. Will taxes on tobacco sales increase in Australia?
Yes, taxes on tobacco sales will increase by 5% annually for the next three years. Australia already has some of the most expensive cigarettes globally, with a pack of 25 selling for about AUD50 ($33).